Some fourteen examples in all of this fine bird have been procured in England. It breeds in Sweden, Denmark and East Germany and thence eastwards in Central and Southern Russia. Like the White Stork, it is a migrant, wintering in Africa.
The whole of the plumage is black, with metallic reflections, except the lower breast and vent, which are white. Length 38 in.; wing 21 in.
THE GLOSSY IBIS
Plegadis falcinellus (Linnæus)
In the southern and eastern parts of England this species used to be well known as an autumn migrant, but of late years it has become decidedly scarcer. It breeds commonly in the marismas of Spain and the marshes of the Danube.
The head, neck, and under parts are a deep coppery brown; back, wings, and tail glossy brownish black. The bill is long and shaped like that of a Curlew. The sexes and young are alike in plumage. Length 22 in.; wing 10·75 in.
THE SPOONBILL
Platalea leucorodia, Linnæus
This species used formerly to breed in several localities in England, but these have long been deserted. It, however, still occurs on migration, and a few annually visit the Norfolk Broads in spring, where, as they are now strictly protected, it is to be hoped that they may once again be induced to nest. It still nests in Holland, but in other districts where it used to occur it seems to have died out as a breeding species, and is now restricted to more southern localities, such as the south of Spain, the Danube, and the Black Sea.
The whole of the plumage is white; gular pouch orange; bill black, with yellow tip; legs black. The sexes are alike in plumage. The young may be distinguished by the black ends to the quill feathers and the flesh-coloured bill. The adult plumage is not fully assumed till in the second or third year. Length 36 in.; bill 8·5 in.; wing 14·5 in.
THE FLAMINGO
Phœnicopterus roseus, Pallas
This curious and well-known bird is only a very rare straggler to our shores. It breeds in the Camargue district at the mouth of the Rhone as well as in Spain, but its main breeding grounds are in Africa. It nests in colonies, the nests being conical structures, formed of mud, built near the edge of the water. It is now definitely ascertained that it sits with its long legs doubled up, and not straddle-legged as was stated by early travellers. The food consists of minute crustacea and other insects.